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Through a major move to bolster its future defense, the Ukrainian government has finalized a preliminary agreement to purchase as many as 100 Rafale fighter warplanes, drones, air defence systems and additional key equipment from the French Republic. The agreement was signed by Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France's leader Emmanuel Macron during a shared news conference at the Elysée presidential palace. The Ukrainian leader described the arrangement as “a historic agreement.”

Forcibly Deported Children: Relatives Lose Contact

Several relatives of Ukraine's children who were taken against their will to Russia have sounded the alarm about their fate, reporting that all contact has been severed. At a uncommon news conference in Paris, Darina Repina, who is responsible for two children removed after Moscow's widespread invasion of the country in 2022, said that Russian authorities are disregarding every appeal to facilitate the children's repatriation.

Unmanned Aerial Attack Targets Turkey-Registered Tanker in Odesa

An unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and caused a fire in southern the Odesa area, officials said. The incident occurred just one day after Zelenskyy approved a deal to bring in American LNG through the region. The MT Orinda was struck while offloading LPG at Izmail port, according to Turkish maritime authority. All 16 crew members on board were safely removed and no one was injured.

Romania's Officials Evacuate Communities Following Drone Attack

Romanian authorities said they had relocated two communities close to the Ukrainian frontier following the aerial strike on the MT Orinda. Since entering the country in recent years, Russian forces has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's harbors in the Danube area, triggering alerts in neighbouring Romania.

US Leader Trump Willing to Sign Russian Sanctions Bill

US president Trump is willing to approve a bill to enact penalties on the Russian Federation, as long as he keeps ultimate authority power over any such measures, an high-ranking U.S. administration official stated. Trump told journalists late on Sunday that it was “OK with me” that Republicans were drafting legislation to impose restrictions on nations doing business with Moscow over its failure to reach a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian government.

Poland's Prime Minister Describes Railway Explosion an “Unprecedented Case of Disruption”

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, has labeled an blast along a part of rail track used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented instance of sabotage” that could have resulted in catastrophe. This statement coincided with a statement from public prosecutors saying that an inquiry had opened “regarding actions of disruption of a terrorist kind […] carried out on behalf of a foreign spy agency against the nation of Poland.”

China Premier Shows Readiness to Deepen Partnership with Russia

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with the Russian Federation in energy, agriculture and additional investments, Premier Li stated during a meeting with Russia's leader Mishustin in Moscow. The Chinese premier informed his counterpart that the country is open to more agricultural and food-related products from Russia, as per the official media outlet. China also hopes that Russia will facilitate for Chinese enterprises to put money and operate there, the report cited. Mishustin assured his counterpart that the partnership between the both nations has consistently demonstrated its strength to external pressures.